Representations to Local Development Framework Site Proposals DPD Preferred Options Report

Prepared for Harworth Estates (the property division of UK Coal Mining Plc)

By:

Atisreal Limited, Belgrave House, Bank Street, Sheffield, S1 2DR

Tel: +44 (0) 870 700 2233 DD: +44 (0) 114 241 2207

August 2008 Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 Areas to be Excluded from the Green Belt 4 3 Housing Sites 5 4 Employment Sites 9 5 Special Policy Areas 12 6 Tourism and Leisure Sites 14 7 Conclusion 17

Appendices

Appendix A – Harworth Estates’ Land Holdings in the Wakefield District Appendix B – Normanton Bypass (Potential Development Area) Appendix C – Former Sharlson Colliery (Area with Planning Permission and Potential Development Area) Appendix D – Anglers East (Potential Development Area) Appendix E – Anglers South (Potential Development Area)

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1 Introduction

Harworth Estates, the property division of UK COAL Plc, are a significant land owner across the , the and Humber Region and the Wakefield district (see Appendix A), and are committed to investing in their land holdings to bring them forward for beneficial regeneration scheme including employment, residential, open space and leisure/tourism. Within the Wakefield district, Harworth Estates’ development sites include:

■ The Former Sharlston Colliery; ■ Land to the North of the Normanton Bypass, and South of Queen Elizabeth Drive, Normanton (“Normanton By-pass”); ■ Anglers South; ■ The Former Moorhouse Coal and Fire Clay Site (“Anglers East”); ■ The Former Prince of Wales Colliery; and ■ Land at Flass Lane, Castleford (“Prince of Wales 2”).

Harworth Estates’ land holdings in Wakefield thus offer a major opportunity for the company to work with Wakefield Council and other key stakeholders, to assist in meeting the significant levels of growth proposed in the district by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy, and the recent Leeds City Region Growth Point Status.

In light of the above, Harworth Estates’ representations to the Wakefield Local Development Framework (LDF) Site Specific Proposals Development Plan Document Preferred Options Report are set out in this document, with respect to the following sites:

■ Normanton Bypass; ■ The Former Sharlston Colliery; ■ Angers East; and ■ Anglers South.

Separate additional Site Specific Representations have been made to the Council in respect of Prince of Wales and land at Flass Lane.

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2 Areas to be Excluded from the Green Belt

Harworth Estates object to the Wakefield LDF Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report on the grounds that it does not exclude its Anglers East, Anglers South, Normanton Bypass and former Sharlston Colliery sites from the Green Belt.

A more detailed response on this and to the question set out at paragraph 9.17 of the Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report is set out below.

Do you have any alternative proposals?

Planning Policy Guidance Note 2: Green Belts (PPG2) states that there 5 purposes for including land in the Green Belt; these included:

■ To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas; ■ To prevent neighbouring towns from merging; ■ To safeguard the countryside from encroachment; ■ To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and ■ To assist in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

PPG2 also states that the Green Belt should not contain land that is unnecessary to keep open. Recognisable features in the landscape, such as roads or watercourses, should form the boundaries of the Green Belt, and these boundaries should only be changed in exceptional circumstances.

Wakefield LDF Core Strategy Submission Draft Policy CS12 reiterates the guidance in PPG2, and states that only in exceptional circumstances, where there is an over-riding need, and where development cannot be located elsewhere, land will be removed from the Green Belt.

Harworth Estates considers that exceptional circumstances exist that warrant the removal of its Anglers East, Anglers South, Normanton Bypass and former Sharlston Colliery sites from the Green Belt. The justifications for this are detailed in the following sections of the report.

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3 Housing Sites

Harworth Estates object to the Wakefield LDF Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report on the grounds that it does not allocate the Normanton Bypass and Sharlston sites for residential development.

A more detailed response on this and to the question set out at paragraph 5.4 of the Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report is set out below.

Do you have any alternative proposals?

Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3) states that Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) should plan for housing for a period of 15 years, and should demonstrate a 5 year supply of deliverable sites, excluding an allowance for windfalls in the first 10 years supply.

The Plan (May 2008) (RSS) sets a housing requirement for 1,600 houses per annum for the Wakefield District over the LDF plan period.

Annual Average Net Additions to the Dwelling Stock 2004-2026 LOCAL AUTHORITY 2004-08 2008-2026 Wakefield 1,170 1,600 Table 1: RSS Annual Housing Target

The Wakefield LDF plan period runs until 2021. The total housing development capacity of the sites allocated as Housing Allocations and Special Policy Areas in the Wakefield Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report falls short of the RSS requirement by approximately 1,400 dwellings. In addition, the LDF does not cover the required period up to 2026 as set out in the RSS and PPS3. The target also includes for windfall sites (a total of 3,600 dwellings) which should only be considered in years 11 to 15 and only in exceptional circumstances.

In addition, in July 2008 the Government announced a further 20 locations across that have achieved Growth Point status, including the Leeds City Region, which incorporates the Wakefield district. Growth Point status for the Leeds City Region will result in a further 6,030 homes being developed across the City Region by 2016. For the Wakefield District this will represent a 20% increase in the housing requirements set by the RSS, and the following objective:

“early delivery of infrastructure improvements that will enable over 6,000 homes to contribute to the regeneration of the Five Towns, Wakefield….”

As such, the short fall of housing land allocated in the Preferred Options Report will increase further, and additional land for housing will need to be found in order to meet the housing requirements set out in the RSS and the Growth Point initiative.

Additional land for residential development thus needs to be allocated in the Site Specific Proposals DPD.

In light of the above, Harworth Estates consider that its Normanton By-Pass and the former Sharlston Colliery sites offer the potential for sustainable residential developments that will assist in meeting Wakefield’s housing requirements. Site specific justification for this is set out in more detail below.

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Normanton By-Pass

The Normanton Bypass site is located in the east of the Wakefield district, on the southern edge of the settlement of Normanton, with a Potential Development Area identified at approximately 4.21 hectares (10.4 acres) (see Appendix B).

It is bordered by residential development to the north and west, with direct access from the residential estate to the north, and the Normanton Bypass to the south.

The Normanton Bypass site is generally flat, rising slightly to the east. It currently has an electricity pylon running across it. However, Harworth Estates have an agreement in place by which the pylons can be diverted to allow for its future development.

The Normanton Bypass site is located in a sustainable location, on the edge of an existing built up area, with access to a range of services and facilities including the following:

■ Primary schools, including Newlands Primary School (approximately 0.8 miles away), Normanton Junior School (approximately 0.9 miles away), Normanton All Saints Church of England Infant School (approximately 1.3 miles away), and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School (approximately 1.5 miles away); ■ Secondary Schools, and Further Education Institutions, such as Normanton Freeston Voluntary Controlled High School and The Freeston Business and Enterprise College, both located approximately 1 mile away; ■ Health Care such as Newlands Doctor’s Surgery (approximately 1.1 miles away) and Princess St Doctor’s Surgery (approximately 1.2 miles away); ■ Public transport, including Normanton Railway station (approximately 1.4 miles away), which offers services to Wakefield and Castleford, and bus stops directly to the north on Queen Elizabeth Drive, offering approximately 7 services per hour to Wakefield Centre; and ■ Access to the wider region via the M62 and the Normanton By-Pass. ■ Local shops – additional amenities.

Harworth Estates therefore consider the Normanton Bypass site to represent an excellent opportunity for residential development as a sustainable urban extension, in a location that offers easy access to a number of essential services and facilities, as well as public transport links to the wider area. This would be in accordance with PPS3 which states:

“In support of its objective of creating mixed and sustainable communities, the Government’s policy is to ensure that housing is developed in suitable locations which offer a range of community facilities and with good access to jobs, key services, and infrastructure”.

Housing development on the Normanton Bypass site would also be in accordance with the level of development set out for Normanton in the submission draft of the Core Strategy’s development hierarchy.

In addition, following the construction of the Normanton Bypass it is not considering that the Normanton Bypass site no longer satisfies the purposes of including land in the Green Belt, as set out in PPG2. More specifically, it is unnecessary to keep the site open, as development on the Normanton Bypass site would not result in settlements merging and would not represent urban

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sprawl. It would also not encroach into the countryside, as the Normanton By- pass runs into the south. There is also a need for further housing land in the District to meet the RSS and Growth Point requirements, and therefore development on the site would not prejudice redevelopment in urban areas.

It is considered that the Normanton By-pass represents a clear recognisable feature in the landscape, and as such would form a logical boundary to the Green Belt, in line with the guidance in PPG2. The bypass itself has isolated the Normanton Bypass site from the rest of the Green Belt, and has reduced its openness, with residential development representing infill development, which would fit in with the existing built fabric of the urban area of Normanton.

It is considered that the above represent exceptional circumstances, which warrant the amendment of the Green Belt to exclude the Normanton Bypass site and its allocation for residential development.

Pursuant to this, Harworth Estates are keen to work with Wakefield Council and other stakeholders with a view to bringing the Normanton Bypass site forward for residential development in the LDF, and would welcome a meeting to discuss this further.

In light of the above, it is requested that the potential development area of the Normanton Bypass site should be allocated for new residential development in the LDF accordingly.

Former Sharlston Colliery

The former Sharlston Colliery site is located in the east of the Wakefield district, between the settlements of New Sharlston and Streethouse.

Outline planning consent has been granted for the redevelopment of up to 70 dwellings on 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) of the south western area of the former Sharlston Colliery site, with access from High Street (see Appendix C). In doing this, the Council has accepted that housing development on the former Sharlston Colliery site is an acceptable location for new residential development.

The planning consent includes the signing of a Section 106 Agreement to provide a gas main to the settlement of New Sharlston.

The former Sharlston Colliery site was previously used as a mine, and the area with outline planning consent for housing currently comprises of derelict land and piles of rubble fronting Crossley Street. As such, it is considered to be previously developed land, and development would meet the requirements of PPS3 and the RSS by making an efficient use of land by reusing previously developed land.

Housing development on the former Sharlston Colliery site will also meet the requirements of PPS3, as it would be located close to a number of community facilities and services, including the following:

■ A number of primary and secondary schools in the settlements of Sharlston and Normanton; ■ Retail facilities at Warmfield Post Office, and local shopping facilities in Normanton and Sharlston; ■ Public transport opportunities, including the railway station at Streethouse, and bus services along High Street and Wakefield Road, allowing residents to access employment and services in the surrounding areas, including Wakefield and Pontefract town centres; and ■ Good access to the wider City Region via the Normanton By-Pass and the M62.

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Housing development on the former Sharlston Colliery site will also provide high quality housing in the settlement of New Sharlston, diversifying the existing ageing stock, and allowing residents access to a better standard of housing, meeting the objectives of PPS3.

In light of the above, it is requested that the area of the former Sharlston Colliery with outline planning consent for housing should be protected by way of an allocation for housing in the LDF.

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4 Employment Sites

Harworth Estates object to the Wakefield LDF Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report on the grounds that it does not allocate its Anglers East site for rail related employment development.

A more detailed response on this and to the question set out at paragraph 6.10 of the Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report is set out below.

Do you have any alternative proposals?

The Regional Transport Strategy in the RSS aims, in Policy T1 to shift traffic to modes with lower environmental impacts. This is particularly the case with respect to freight movements.

Policy T4 in the RSS aims to achieve a modal shift away from road based freight to more sustainable modes, particularly rail based freight.

“Maximise the use of rail and water for movements………….. and recognise the contribution these modes can make to the transportation of materials, including waste”.

Table 13.24A in the RSS states that improving freight capacity on rail is a “category A” investment priority, in order to achieve a modal shift towards rail freight.

Both Planning Policy Guidance 13 Transport (PPG13) and Policy T4 of the RSS state that sites and routes which would be critical in developing infrastructure to widen transport choices for freight movements, should be protected, as should land with existing rail freight connections. This is reiterated in the Core Strategy Submission Document, which states, in Policy CS9, that sites which are used or suitable for rail freight facilities will be protected for these uses.

The Core Strategy also states that the ability to move goods is particularly important given Wakefield’s strategic position on the national rail network, and in light of this, better use will be made of rail networks, and opportunities will be taken to link major freight movements to the rail network.

With regard to the location of freight sites, PPG13 states that where possible developments generating substantial freight movements should be located away from central and residential areas.

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Policy CS8 of the Core Strategy Submission Document states that the District’s economic performance will be improved by providing an adequate supply of land for employment needs, particularly in the former mining communities in the South East of the District.

In light of the above, Harworth Estates consider that its Anglers East site should be allocated for rail linked employment uses in the Site Specific Proposals DPD. Site specific justification for this is set out in more detail below.

Anglers East

The Anglers East site is located in the south east of the Wakefield District, between the settlements of Ryehill and Crofton, to the east of Anglers Country Park, with a Potential Development Area identified at approximately 4.9 hectares (12.2 acres) (see Appendix D).

The Anglers East site, formerly known as the Moorhouse Coal and Fire Clay Site, was previously worked for coal, which was removed from the site via rail sidings on the northern areas. These remain in situ, and connect to the Doncaster to Leeds railway line. It therefore connects to the East Coast Mainline, and has access to the Aire Valley Corridor.

Recently the Anglers East site has been used by Freightliner for the stabling of rail wagons. Temporary planning permission for this use was granted, on appeal, in 2005 on the basis that there were no other sites available in the area for the stabling of 17-19 wagons, representing exceptional circumstances, which outweighed its Green Belt allocation.

Advice has been sought from Network Rail regarding the suitability of the Anglers East site for a rail linked employment site. Network Rail has advised that there is a demand for rail served employment sites in Yorkshire, yet there is currently a shortage of rail sidings in the area. This problem has been enhanced by the recent loss of the Strategic Freight Terminal due to the regeneration of Wakefield Westgate Station.

Further to this Network Rail consider the Anglers East site to be a valuable part of Yorkshire’s rail sidings portfolio, which represents a good opportunity for a rail served employment site.

In addition, Network Rail estimate that it would cost in the region of £3.5 million to replicate the rail siding facilities on the Anglers East site at another location.

Network Rail therefore fully supports the retention and development of the rail sidings at the Anglers East site.

As stated above, national, regional, and local planning policy aim to achieve a modal shift away from road based freight to more sustainable modes of transport, particularly rail, and also state that sites with existing rail sidings should be protected for these uses.

A rail served employment development on the site would assist in achieving a modal shift to rail based freight, by encouraging local businesses to use rail freight instead of road freight.

The proposed use of the Anglers East site would be likely to be similar to the previous use of the site by Freightliner. As such, this would have little impact on the ecology and environment on the Anglers East site, particularly the important ponds and disused railway, which form the Moorhouse Lane Ponds and Railway Nature Area (WNA64) allocation in the Preferred Options Report on part of the

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site. Further to this, the retention and reuse of the Anglers East site may actually facilitate improvements to these.

In addition, as the rail sidings at the Anglers East site are already in place, there retention and reuse would also have limited impact on the openness of the surrounding Green Belt.

Further to this, the retention and reuse of the rail sidings at the Anglers East site may actually facilitate improvements to ecology and environment in the surrounding area, as well as the open appearance of the Green Belt e.g. landscaping.

It is considered that the above represent exceptional circumstances, which warrant the amendment of the Green Belt to exclude the Anglers East site and its allocation for rail linked employment development.

Pursuant to this, Harworth Estates are keen to work with Wakefield Council and other stakeholders with a view to bringing the Anglers East site forward for a rail linked employment development in the LDF, and would welcome a meeting to discuss this further.

In light of the above, it is requested that the potential development area of the Anglers East site be allocated for rail linked employment uses in the Site Specific Proposals DPD.

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5 Special Policy Areas

Harworth Estates object to the Wakefield LDF Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report on the grounds that it does not allocate its former Sharlston Colliery site as a Special Policy Area.

A more detailed response on this and to the question set out at paragraph 10.2 of the Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report is set out below.

Do you have any alternative proposals?

As set out at section 3, not enough land is allocated in the Site Specific Proposals DPD Preferred Options Report to meet the housing requirements set out in the RSS, particularly following the increase to the housing provision requirements resulting from the Leeds City Region Growth Point Status.

The need to allocate / development land to assist in the regeneration of the most deprived areas of the country is recognised and promoted by national, regional and local planning policy. This also recognises the importance that new development achieves sustainable, mixed use communties

As such, the allocation of Special Policy Areas to be developed for more than one use, including the development of a primary use supported by ancillary or complementary uses, offers the potential to meet the above requirements.

In light of the above, Harworth Estates consider that its former Sharlston Colliery site should be allocated as a Special Policy Area in the Site Specific Proposals DPD. Site specific justification for this is set out in more detail below.

Former Sharlston Colliery

The former Sharlston Colliery site is located in the east of the Wakefield district, between the settlements of New Sharlston and Streethouse.

As set out at section 3, part of the former Sharlston Colliery site has outline planning permission for residential development, with much of the remainder to the east currently being worked for coal extraction. Of this, an area with further regeneration potential has been identified of 14.1 hectares (14.1 hectares) (see Appendix C).

Previously, the Council considered allocating the Sharlston Colliery site as a Special Policy Area, in the preparation of the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), for a mixed-use development, in line with a masterplan produced by UK COAL.

The inspector’s report into the UDP First Alteration (March 2002) concluded that there was, at the time, no exceptional circumstances that warranted the removal of the site from the Green Belt. However, the Inspector also commented on the need for regeneration of the area, and that the site represents a negative image, and is harmful to the countryside. The surrounding settlements of Sharlston, New Sharlston and Sharlston Common, and the surrounding areas, were subject to European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) Objective 2, and Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) 6 funding, and in 2000 Sharlston was the 7 most deprived ward in the District, and was within the top 13% of most deprived wards in England.

The former Sharlston Colliery site was previously used as a mine, and as such, could be considered to be previously developed land, which is prioritised for development by national, regional and local planning policy.

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The former Sharlston Colliery site is also considered to be a sustainable location for new development, being located close to a number of community facilities and services, including the following:

■ A number of primary and secondary schools in the settlements of Sharlston and Normanton; ■ Retail facilities at Warmfield Post Office, and local shopping facilities in Normanton and Sharlston; ■ Public transport opportunities, including the railway station at Streethouse, and bus services along High Street and Wakefield Road, allowing residents to access employment and services in the surrounding areas, including Wakefield and Pontefract town centres; and ■ Good access to the wider City Region via the Normanton By-Pass and the M62.

In addition, there has also been interest in the use of a lake which is to be created as part of the restoration of the former Sharlston Colliery site as part of the 5 Towns Angling experience.

In light of the above, it is considered that a more modest mixed use redevelopment of the former Sharlston Colliery site than previously proposed in the UDP would assist in the regeneration of the area and its restoration to an acceptable after use. More specifically, it is envisaged that the mixed use development would incorporate further housing development of a limited scale (in addition to that already granted planning permission), alongside the landscaping and restoration of the remainder to open space uses suitable for community recreation and to boost the tourism and leisure economy in the district, potentially including the 5 Towns Angling Experience.

This would deliver economic, environmental, and social regeneration benefits. It would also serve to improve the ageing local housing stock and attract new investment into the area, thus contributing to reducing levels of deprivation and regenerating the area by locating new homes in a location accessible to a range of services and facilities.

Finally, with respect to the potential for residential development at the former Sharlston Colliery site, by granting the existing outline planning permission for residential development, the Council has accepted that this is an acceptable location for new residential development.

It is considered that the above represent exceptional circumstances, which warrant the amendment of the Green Belt to exclude the former Sharlston site and its allocation as a Special Policy Area.

Pursuant to this, Harworth Estates are keen to work with Wakefield Council and other stakeholders with a view to bringing the former Sharlston Colliery site forward for a mixed use development in the LDF, and would welcome a meeting to discuss this further.

In light of the above, it is requested that the area of the former Sharlston Colliery site with further regeneration potential be allocated as a Special Policy Area in the Site Specific Proposals DPD.

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6 Tourism and Leisure Sites

Harworth Estates object to the Wakefield LDF Site Specific Proposals Preferred Options Report on the grounds that it does not allocate land for tourism and leisure development.

A more detailed response on this is set out below.

Need for Tourism and Leisure Development

The RSS states that, in 2003, tourism contributed approximately £4.2 billion to the Regional economy. Whilst there is an imbalance in the distribution of tourism in the Region, the RSS recognises that all parts of the Region could benefit from increased levels of tourism. Policy E1 of the RSS states that development plans should help to deliver the potential of the “non-business class” sectors including leisure and tourism as key economic and employment generators. Policy E6 states that planning authorities should recognise the sustainable growth of tourism as an integral contributor to the economy, and should promote tourism in rural areas where it can provide jobs for local people.

The Regional Economic Strategy (2006) (RES) also acknowledges that tourism is already a significant contributor to the Regional economy; however, it also states that it has the potential to offer much more. Of particular importance is the need to grow visitor income rather than just visitor numbers, especially by encouraging visitors to stay in the Region for longer.

PPS7 states that local development documents should support sustainable tourism and leisure developments that benefit rural businesses, communities, and visitors and which utilise and enrich, but no not harm, the character of the countryside. PPS7 also states that development in rural areas should not be prominent in the landscape and any visual intrusion should be minimised by effective, high quality screening.

The Core Strategy Submission Document acknowledges that tourism development is a significant contributor to the Regional economy, but is undeveloped in the Wakefield District, and Policy CS8 states that economic performance will be improved by encouraging new facilities and accommodation for tourists.

The Governments Good Practice Guide on Planning for Tourism (2006) states that tourism can help to maintain and expand under used sport, recreation, and leisure facilities, and the revenue generated through tourism can help to regenerate and revitalise rural areas and secure the retention or upgrading of public services, such as public transport, as well as helping to sustain the natural and physical environment. The RES also states that tourism and rural diversification are important factors in the Region’s economy.

The Core Strategy Submission Document also states that the most significant areas of rural deprivation in the District can be found in the former rural coalfield communities.

In light of the above, Harworth Estates considers that part of its Anglers South site should be allocated for tourism and leisure development in the Site Specific Proposals DPD. Site specific justification for this is set out in more detail below.

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Anglers South

The Angler South site is located in the south east of the District, in the Green Belt to the north of the settlements of Ryehill and Cold Hiendley, and south of Anglers Country Park and the Settlement of Wintersett (see Appendix E). It has an area of approximately 205 ha (507 acres) in total, incorporating two reservoirs and the West Riding Sailing Club.

Interest has been shown in the part of the Angler South site to the north of the reservoir by a developer who would like to develop a small-scale, chalet style tourist facility on this Potential Development Area of approximately 15.5 hectares (38.4 acres) (see Appendix E). This could potentially incorporate a number of log cabins, a leisure centre with swimming pool and gym, a café / bar, and a small convenience shop.

As stated above, tourism contributes significantly to the regional economy, but is relatively under-developed in the Wakefield District. This is acknowledged in the Core Strategy Submission Document. The RSS states that all parts of the Region could benefit from increased levels of tourism, and development plans should help to deliver the potential of tourism as an economic and employment generator, particularly in rural areas, where it can provide jobs for local people.

PPS7 also states the benefits that tourism development can have on existing businesses in rural areas. It is considered that tourism development on the site would assist in diversifying the local economy, and would also have benefits for existing tourism and leisure uses in the area, such as the Heronry Visitors Centre and Anglers Country Park, by increasing the number of visitors, whilst also helping to expand underused sport and recreation facilities in the area. It may also improve local residents’ access to leisure activities through the use of the facilities on site.

The revenue generated by tourism uses on the site could help to regenerate and revitalise the area, and may assist in the retention or upgrading of public services, such as public transport. The Good Practice Guide on Planning for Tourism states that tourism developments in rural areas can help to protect and improve the natural and built environment. It is considered that tourism development on the site may assist in the preservation of the natural environment, as tourism on the site will benefit from the attractive location, and will seek to maintain it.

Tourism and leisure development on part of the Anglers South site would take advantage of the site’s attractive location. It would also assist in boosting the under-performing tourism economy in the District and contribute to diversifying the rural economy.

It is considered that the above, and particularly the potential to address the poor performance of the District’s Tourism economy, with little such development coming forward in recent years, represents exceptional circumstances, which warrant the amendment of the Green Belt to exclude the part of the Anglers East site proposed for a small chalet style tourist style facility, and its allocation for tourism and leisure development.

Further to this, Harworth Estates are keen to work with Wakefield Council and other stakeholders with a view to bringing the Potential Development Area of the Anglers South site forward for a tourism and leisure development in the LDF, and would welcome a meeting to discuss this further.

In light of the above, it is requested that the potential development area of the Anglers South site proposed for a small-scale, chalet style tourist facility should

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be allocated for tourism and leisure development in the Site Specific Proposals DPD to support this accordingly.

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7 Conclusion

Harworth Estates are a significant land owner in the Wakefield district and are committed to investing in their land holdings to bring them forward for development. As such, this presents a major opportunity for Harworth Estates to work with the Council and other key stakeholders to assist in meeting the levels of growth proposed in the district by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy, and the recent Leeds City Region Growth Point Status.

More specifically, Harworth Estates request that the representations set out in this document are taken into consideration and their land holdings be allocated in the Site Specific Proposals Document as set out below:

■ Anglers East – Potential Development Area removed from the Green Belt and allocated for rail linked employment development ■ Anglers South – Potential Development Area removed from the Green Belt and allocated for tourism and leisure development ■ Normanton Bypass – Potential Development Area removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development; and ■ Former Sharlston Colliery – Potential Development Area removed from the Green Belt and allocated as a Special Policy Area, and the area with planning permission allocated for residential development.

Harworth Estates are keen to work with Wakefield Council and other stakeholders with a view to bringing these sites forward for development in the LDF to bring forward economic, social and environmental regeneration, and would welcome a meeting to discuss this further.

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Appendix A

Harworth Estates’ Land Holdings in the Wakefield District

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Appendix B

Normanton Bypass (Potential Development Area)

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Appendix C

Former Sharlson Colliery (Area with Planning

Permission and Potential Development Area)

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Appendix D

Anglers East (Potential Development Area)

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Appendix E

Anglers South (Potential Development Area)

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